Reconsider FDI decision, JD-U tells government

Urging the government to reconsider its decision on foreign investment in retail, NDA convenor and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader Sharad Yadav Wednesday said in the Lok Sabha that the UPA may win the battle in the house but the policy would have long-term impact.

"You may win this battle... but the future generations will not pardon us," the opposition leader said ahead of the vote on foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail, betraying a hint of uneasiness about the outcome.

The JD-U leader said the opposition's intent was not to destabilise the government but press it to withdraw FDI in retail.

"If we wanted to destabilise the government, we would have supported the no confidence motion brought in by the Trinamool Congress earlier in the winter session. Now their leaders are not talking to us," said Sharad Yadav.

"We are opposing FDI to save the country... Wal-Mart is here here only for profit," he said. "This is against the poor of the country... and you are forcing it."